Though the global outlook for online video subscriptions remains “very positive,” Netflix projections of losing 2 million more subscribers in Q2 (see 2204190066) is ample warning that online video services “cannot take growth for granted,” reported Omdia Monday. Netflix reports second-quarter results July 19.
The FCC got general support for doing more to address receivers in early responses to a notice of inquiry on receiver performance and potentially standards adopted by commissioners 4-0 in April (see 2204210049). Comments were due Monday in docket 22-137.
FTC Chair Lina Khan has engaged in undemocratic efforts to shift antitrust precedent, and she would be better served pursuing antitrust enforcement action to sway the judiciary, panelists told a Computer and Communications Industry Association event Monday.
The House Appropriations Committee voted 31-22 Friday night to advance the Financial Services Subcommittee’s FY 2023 bill with increases in annual funding for the FCC and FTC. The committee voted down Republicans’ bids to roll back a proposed substantial increase in FTC funding and altered a rider in the measure that removes an FCC barrier to broadcasters airing ads for cannabis products. The measure would allocate $490 million to the FTC, a 30% increase over what it received in the FY 2022 omnibus appropriations package (see 2203150076). The FY23 bill would give the FCC $390 million, up 2.3% from FY22.
An NAB-backed Senate bill to open a window to allow low-power television stations to upgrade to better-protected Class A status is opposed by some LPTV groups, but lawmakers are looking to move it this year, said legislators and LPTV industry officials in interviews.
States, local communities and industry should begin having conversations now about the type of partnerships needed once NTIA’s broadband, equity, access and deployment program and middle-mile broadband infrastructure program funding become available, panelists said during a Schools, Health and Libraries Broadband Coalition webinar Friday. Panelists encouraged anchor institutions to start organizing and identifying their communities' needs as funding from both programs may not reach everyone.
The Senate left on a two-week recess Thursday night without holding a vote Democratic leaders had considered to discharge FCC nominee Gigi Sohn from the Commerce Committee’s jurisdiction, as expected (see 2206230072). Senate Democratic leaders had eyed whether they could pursue the discharge vote because all 50 Democratic caucus members were available and a handful of Republicans were absent from the chamber (see 2206230066). Sohn’s confirmation process has been stalled since March, when the Commerce Committee tied 14-14 on advancing her to the full chamber, necessitating the discharge vote before the chamber can proceed on her confirmation. Her supporters have been eyeing ways to break the logjam (see 2206070046).
In the FCC’s further NPRM on ATSC 3.0, released Wednesday in docket 16-142 (see 2206220067), the commission seeks comment on the extent to which patent licensing may be “inhibiting the development of 3.0 TV sets or other 3.0 equipment by non-patent holders.” Comments are due 30 days, replies 60 days, after the NPRM is published in the Federal Register.
Dish Network’s launch of a stand-alone 5G open radio access network is proof that ORAN can be deployed on a “massive” scale, said Stefano Cantarelli, Mavenir chief marketing officer, during the TelecomTV ORAN summit Thursday. Dish is working with Mavenir on that deployment. Other speakers said use of ORAN is growing, but ORAN companies haven't turned a profit and need more direction from carriers.
The commercial availability of equipment that will allow integrated terrestrial/non-terrestrial 5G networks could be 12 to 24 months out, satellite communications and wireless experts told us. With the increasing efforts being made to integrate terrestrial and satellite networks, satcom claiming a bigger role in 5G "is just a matter of time," said Miguel Costa, SES senior product manager-mobile backhaul, on a webinar Thursday. Many satellite experts think a widespread satcom role in 5G will be years off (see 2205180003).